A large suburb currently uses square signs to notify drivers of nearby bike lanes. In order to increase the visibility of these signs, the mayor wants to increase their dimensions. The new signs will be 12 inches longer and 8 inches taller than the current signs. Suppose x represents the side measure of the current signs, in inches. Determine the equation that represents the area, y, in square inches, of the new signs.

The current sign is squared shape so its length and width are equal. The side measures of current sign are x inches.

Length of new sign will be 12 inches longer. So the length of new sign = (x+12) inches

Width of new sign will be 8 inches longer. So the width of new sign= (x+8) inches

Since the length and width of new sign are different, its shape will be rectangular. The area of a rectangle is the product of its length and width.

So the area of new shape will be:

y = (x+12)(x+8) square inches